Outdoor Kitchens Anyone?

18 years ago

I am re-doing the entire backyard....even building inground pool and would love to start outdoor kitchen project next. Has anyone recently put one in? I'd like to see "real" pics and share ideas.

Thanks :)

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Comments (4)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
17 years ago
I wish I knew how to post pics. I had one built along with the pool. It has the same granite tiles on the counter and raised bar as the kitchen, and looks lovely from the kitchen. Continuity and all that!

I put 20" tiles all the way around the bar sides to that those who sit there won't kick holes in the stucco. It's decorative and nice.

It has a built in sink with cold water, and a UL certified for outdoor use refrigerator.

It has a Pacific Gas Specialties drop in gas BBQ complete with infrared rotisserie.

There are 2 electric outlets which get used for all kinds of things.

There is a corner umbrella hole also.

What would I do different?

I'd have built in lighting.. Like a swirly modern overhead thing with drop lights on it or something (the airport bar in Vancouver has a perfect example), anchored by poles at each corner. We currently plug in a lamp and deal with it!

I'd have removable shelves built into the under BBQ access. Removable because sometimes you have to crawl under there.

I'd have a burner built in also.

Granite (although beautiful) gets HOT in summer, and FFFFrrreeezing in winter. I might pick a more user friendly bar top if I did it over. Something that is not so heat and cold conductive. My furniture is teak, and I'm thinking of a temporary teak top custom made to sit on top of the granite when people come over. No one wants to fry their arms when sitting at a bar!!

Hope these suggestions help. Sorry about my inability to post pics.

Suzi
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
17 years ago
Well, it's not the best or the biggest outdoor kitchen, but it works for me!! Took forever to figure out how to post a link: http://s430.photobucket.com/albums/qq26/DesertDance/?action=share&pic=Built-inBBQFridgeSinkGraniteBar.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful:
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Has anyone used outdoor lights inside?
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I'm sure this is done as I've seen many of those huge hanging lanterns that decorators are now using with the Belgian style and they must originally have been outdoor fixtures. As long as the wiring is to code I can't see a problem. Keep in mind the function of the light as sconces will be ambient light, not task. I have a dozen wired sconces in this house and I love the light they provide. Downside is that really tall furniture doesn't work with them and they limit wall decor.
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Outdoor sinks, anyone?
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How about having a sink made from soapstone, or fire clay, mounting it on a metal frame work? Or find a real porcelain, very large size bathroom sink. Alternatively how about one made of Silgranite (or its cheaper look-alike from Home Depot). I'm not sure how that material would stand up to strong, direct sunlight outdoors, however. Then there's always stainless steel, as long as there was no wooden subtrate involved. If you're thinking of SS, try looking for an old restaurant sink with an attached metal counter/drainboard. You could try out the plan using any old sink you find in a junkyard. For plumbing in any area where there was even a chance of frost I'd use those "freeze-proof" hose bibs connected to hose-like flexible supply lines; connected, in turn, to the faucet assemblies. Plus inside the house I'd have line shut-offs, and possibly drains, for easy emptying and protecting the system. The hose-to-regular plumbing connections will have to be thought through as you will run into the annoying fact that there are the so-called hose threading and pipe threading, which while looking similar do not mate with each other. You may need a "from-scratch" type plumbing shop to customize your supply line arrangements. For the drain you could either just let the water drain onto the ground, or do a large french drain type cachement area underfoot to absorb the water. Think about what cleaning products and soaps you might need when deciding whether to connect to existing waste disposal. You may also have code issues about this set-up to deal with. L
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Has anyone removed their outdoor grill?
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Comments (10)
We had something similar with the grill right next to a window, which is not the best spot. The window was covered in grease and it seemed like a fire accident waiting to happen. We tore the whole thing down and rebuilt it with the grill just beyond the house and away from windows. Unfortunately ours sits facing the western sun, so it can get a bit too hot while grilling in the So. CA summer, but I couldn't imagine having to cook meals for a family without ever having access to an outdoor grill. Do you have extra matching tiles? If you do and you like to have a counter area for entertaining, then I would just remove the grill, have someone add support/plywood to cover the hole and re-tile with matching tiles.
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Has anyone used lighter colored granite for an outdoor kitchen?
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Comments (3)
My medium toned outdoor granite counter has done just fine for 7 years facing west and south-west in Southern CA. No roof over it. You just have to remember that it is an outdoor element and will be dirty most of the time. Ours also has a grill next to it so it does get some grease and marinade on it too, which I'm not that diligent with cleaning. I'm due to go out there soon with my Clorox with Bleach and give it a good scrub to get rid of the oil/marinade stains. They come out, but since they are baked in by the sun, require a fair bit of scrubbing. Most important is the glue that they use for any built up edge, as most glues will deteriorate in the sun/heat. Mine wasn't done right and last year a GC, that was here working on my inside kitchen, fixed the outside bullnose that had come unglued, using the correct products.
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homefyres
17 years ago
I would suggest you peruse the BBQ Source Forums - they have an extensive outdoor kitchen area.

Here is a link that might be useful: BBQ Source Forums
willinak
17 years ago
Link no workee

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Outdoor Kitchens Anyone?

Comments (4)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

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homefyres

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